Flash light device



April 12, 1932. F AGAN 1,853,968

FLASH LIQHT DEVIQE Filed April 28, 1951 [NYEN TUF. JUHN T :1; SAN,

BY (A -4 Hrs AI-T035731;

Patnted Apr. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN T. FAGAN, OFCLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK FLASH LIGHT DEVICE Application filed April 28,

- My invention relates to portable flashlight devices comprising a lampand a holder therefor, usually containing a battery, a socket and aswitch. One of the more specific uses of my invention is forphotographic flashlights.

Y One object of my invention is to provide a comparatively simple andeffective holder for photographic flashlight lamps andthe like. Anotherobject of my invention is to provide adevice into which the lamp may beinserted by a simple thrust movement. Other features and advantages ofmy invention will appear from the description of a species thereof andfrom the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view I of a holder embodying myinvention and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through said holder.

Referring now to the drawings, the holder comprises the electricallyconductive container or shell 10, preferably of metal, containing thebattery 11. The said battery rests upon a conical metal'spring 12 in thebase of the holder which serves to electrically connect the outer shellof the battery to the shell 10 of the holder and also to push the centercontact 13 of the battery against the end contact 14 of the lamp base.The socket in which said base is held consists of a collar formed of aplurality of segments 15, 16 and 17 (Fig. 1) held in a flared outportion of the shell which are drawn together by a spring 18. Thesesegments are made from an insulating material, preferably fiber, and areperipherally grooved to hold the spring 18. It will be obvious thatvarious types of spring may be, used but I prefer that shown which issimply an endless coil. The means for retaining the socket in the holdercomprises a wire spring 19 which expands into a groove in the rim 20 ofsaid holder. The ends 21, 22 of the said spring protrude through a breakin the said rim and may be pinched thereon. 'lowsthe removal of saidspring and of the 1331. Serial No. 533,474.

together to compress the spring and allow its removal. One end of saidspring 22 operates as a switch for the holder as it contacts with theshell of the holder and its end 23, which registers with a hole 24 inthe said shell, may be brought in contact with the shell 25 of the lampbase 'by pressure on its loop 26.

Uponlinsertion of the lamp 27 by a simple thrust movement, the basethereof is held yieldingly by the spring pressed socket segments 15, 16and 17. Pressure on loop 26 serves to flash the lamp whenever desired.The lamp may be removed by a simple pull Pinching of spring ends 21, 22alsocket segments 15', 16 and 17. This allows the. removal of thebattery 11.

What I claim as new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. In a flashlight device, a holder comprising a conductive shell havinga groove in one end thereof, a battery in said holder having an elementelectrically connected to said shell, a plurality of socket segmentssupported in the end of said shell below said groove, a springencircling said segments and a retaining spring engaging said groove andshaped to also engage said segments.

2. In a flashlight device, a holder comprising an open ended conductiveshell having a groove in one end thereof and a hole in the sidewall-thereof near its open end. a battery in said holder having anelement electrically connected to said shell, a plu rality of segmentssupported in the end of said shell below said groove and constituting acollar for receiving the base of a lamp and locating it opposite saidhole, a spring'encircling said segments and a retaining spring engagingsaid groove and shaped to also engage said segments, the ends of saidretain ing spring extending beyond said shell and at least one thereofregistering with said hole in said shell and adapted, upon beingpressed, to contact with the said lamp base.

3. In a flashlight device, a holder com prisin% an open ended conductiveshell havmg a ole in its side wall near its open end; a battery in saidholder having an element electrically connected to said shell, ayielding collar supported in the said end of said shell for receivingthe base of a lamp and locating it opposite said hole, and a retainingspring engaging said collar, the ends of said retaining spring extendingbeyond said shell and at least one thereof registerin with said hole insaid shell and adapte upon being pressed, to contact with the said lampbase.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. I

JOHN T. FAGAN.

